Operating mechanism for shutter-doors, etc.



Aug- 3 -,'19zs. 1,594,121

M. GILMORE OPERATING MECHANISM FOR SHUTTER DOORS, ETC

Filed Jan. 5. 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet :11

Aug. 3 1926.

- ,594,721 M. GILMORE OPERATING MECHANISM FOR SHUTTER nooas, 2T0

Filed Jan. 5. 1922 3 sheets-sheer 2 K I I flvezzm JZIz' Z/a'rv/ gi/mofAug. 3 1926.

M. GILMORE OPERATING macrmmsm FOR SHUTTER moons, mc

Filed Jan. 5. 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Aug. 3, 1926.5.

nmrn' stares EPATE-NT 1,594,721 OFFICE .MILLA-RD eILMonE, or on PARK,.ILLrNoIs.

OPERATINGMECHANISM FOR SHUTTER-DOORS, ETC.

Application filed January controlling the movements of a fire-door, or

firecurtain,1ot the vertical 'litt type, and especially the well knownshutter door "type.

The invention is illustrated in "its preferred embodiment in theaccompanying drawings, in which-- Figure 1 represents a view mainly inelevation, but partly in section showin'g a shutter-door and itsoperating mechanism constructed in accordance with the invention; Figure2, a broken vertical sectional view taken as indicated at lineQof F ig.1; Figure 3, a broken sectional view taken as indicated at line 3 ofFig, 1; '13 igure 4, a view, diagrammatic in its nature, showing theelectric circuits o-fthesoleno'ids and brakedevi ce employed; Figure '5,a view oft a dial employed for indicating the position of the plungersof the solenoids; and Figure 6, a broken sectional view showing amodification of the invention.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, A represents awall provided with a door-opening, or win c'lowppeni-ng, A B, a hoodmounted on the Wall "above the door opening; C, ashaft journaled in saidhood and having a projecting end equipped with a rigidly-secured sheave,-or winding-drum KT; D, a drum 'journaled on said shaft; E, a torsionspring located in said drum and connected at one *end with the shaft andat the other end with 'the drum; F, a shutter-door, or shutter-curtainmounted on the drum; and G, electromagnetic means controlling theoperation of the shutter-door.

The hood B is shown provided with bearings 1 for the shaft C. The drum Dis provided atone end with arigidly secured plug 2 which has 'a centralperforation journaled on the shaft. One end of the spring E isconnected, as indicated at 2 with the plug or end wall 2 of the drum.The other-end out the spring is connected, as indicated at3, with acollar 3 secured on the shaft.

The shutter-curtain :or door F is ot the usual construction. It has oneend secured to the drum ED and is adapted to be rolled upon "the drum.The shutterpasses through a guide 13 which is provided with a stop, asindicated :at 4, for the lowermost slat of the shutter.

The electromagnetic mechanism G which controls the movements of the drumand shutter comprises solenoids G and G the former being adapted toelevate the shutter, and the latter {being adapted to lower the shutter.electroanagnetically-released brake G The solenoid G is provided with amagnetic core, or plunger 5 which is connected by'a cable "5 with thewinding drum C, the cable suitably solenoid 1G is provided with amagnetic core or plungerG which is conn'ected bya cable 6 with thewinding drum C", the cable beirrg suitably attached to the drum. Thelower Also, the mechanism includes an w attached to the drum. Also, the

ends of the cores hand '6 are equipped with nonmagnetic guide rods, suchas brass rods, 7, which work throughguides 'in'a stationary member- 8. Astop 9 serves to limit the up ward movement of the cores. The guide rodof'the core 5 has attachedto its lower end a weight 5 which supplementsthe weighted. the core. The core 5 and the added weight "5" aresufficientto overbalaneethe core 6 and to give to the torsion spring E asu'flioierft tension to counterbalance approximately the shutter F whenit is in its elevated position.

The magneticbrake G -comprises mask 10 which is secured on the shaft-C'brakememhere 11 adapted to grip the disk 10, said brake members beingheld in the gripping l position by a spring 12-;"and a solenoid -13acting upon lever arms 1 1 ot-the bralre and adapted to release thebrake.

The circuit for the three solenoids mentioned comprises the main wires'14 and 1 5, i

energized from any suitable source, such as a battery 16. The wire '14is connected, through branches 14 with the windings of the solenoids G"and G From the other end of the solenoid windings, wires '14" lead toswitch points 1 7 and 18. Coac'ting with the switch pointsl'iand 18 areswitches 17 and 18 'w'hich are connected with a wire =19 which leads'.to the "winding of the solenoid 13. 'lVi'th the other end ofthewinding of the solenoid13' is connected the wire 15.

From the foregoing, it appears that the brake G normally locks the shaftWhen either of the switches 17 or 18 is closed,

the "brake is released by the solenoid 13, so that when either of thesolenoids G or G is operated, -the brake is automatically released topermit such operation. The operation of the mechanism is as follows.Normally, the plunger 5avi-th-the ad.

weight of the depending portion of the shutter causes the shutter todescend to close the door-opening. This action may be obtained by acomparatively small movement of the plungers of the solenoids, as acomparatively small loosening of the tension of the spring permits thecurtain to descend. By closing the switch 18 the solenoid G is'operatedwhich winds the spring up sufliciently to cause it to turn the drum andelevate the curtain. The switches 17 a and 18* are normally thrown openby springs 17 b and 18.

It will be understood that the circuits of the several solenoids --maybe arranged as may be desired. Also, it will be understood that theelectro-magnetic mechanism may be varied otherw1se, if desired. Forexample,

the solenoid G2 which serves to lower the -wire 20 to form a shortcircuit past the winding of the solenoid. The wire 20 is indicated indotted lines in Fig. 4. -With this modified arrangement, when the switch1'? is closed, the brake is released without affecting the solenoid G.This permits the torsion spring E to turn the-shaft G in a direction .tounwind the spring sufficiently to disturb the balance and permittheshutter to descend to the closed position. The shutter may be elevatedto the open position by closing the switch 18 which. causes thesolenoids 13 and G to be energized, thusflreleasing the brake andcausing the shaft G to be turned in a direction to wind up the springsufficiently to elevate the curtain. Obviously, by manipulating theswitches in a simple manner, the door may be stopped in a partially openposition. if desired.

The solenoids G and G are located in a suitable casing 21. This casingmay be provided with an opening equipped with a transparentcover plate22; and'the plungers 5 and 6 may be equipped with pointers 5 and 6, sothat the position of the plungers may be noted with reference to anindicator- I line 28, as shown in Fig. 5.

In the modification shown in Fig. 6, D represents the drum; E thetorsion'spring; C the shaft; and F the shutter-curtain. In this case,the shaft is equipped at one end with a wheel 24 which is engaged bycatch 25 in accordance with the known practice, the shaft being thusheld in position'to place the spring E under suflicient torsion to holdthe shutter in elevated condition. The drum D isequipped at its otherend with a hollow shaft D upon which is secured a winding drum D A pairof solenoids Gr and G equipped with plungers 26, serve to operate thedrum D. The

plungers 26 are connected by cables 26 with the drum 23. Thus, byoperating one of the solenoids, the drum may be turned to lower thecurtain, and by operating the other solenoid, the drum may be turned toraise the curtain.

The preferred embodiment of the invention, however, is one in which thesolenoid or solenoids operate to wind or unwind the torsion springthrough the medium of the shaftC. I

In case of fire, it is desirable to employ means associated with theelectro-magnetic shutter-operating aneans, for causing the shutter to beautomatically closed. In the illustration given, a weight H is employedwhich, in case of fire, isadapted to release the grip oflthe brakedevice G and permit the shaft C to turn and release the tension of thetorsion spring-D, so that the shutter will be permitted to drop. Theweight H is held in elevated position by a trigger H controlled by afuse-link H. In case of fire, the fuse-linkv is melted, releasing thetrigger and thereby permitting the weight H to fall. The weight H isattached to a chain H which is connected with an arm 11 of the brakedevice, so that when the weight falls, it will effect release of thebrake. The chain H should, in practice, be short enough to effectrelease of the brake before the weight can strike the upper end of theplunger 6, which, it will be understood, is in elevated position whenthe shutter is in elevated position.

In practice the controlling switches may be located. at any convenientposition; and by suitably manipulating the switches, the door may beclosed completely, may be opened completely,or may be stopped at anintermediate position.

, Obviously, they improved curtain-operating means may be employed toactuate or control the position of any kind of a curtain, or flexibleshade which is adaptedto roll up, as, for example, a window shade, anawning or the like, which is adapted to be rolled up or lowered in amanner analogous to a fire-curtain.

It may be ad led that in the case of a properly counterbalanced, freelymoving shutter, a turn, or less, of the shaft is sufiicienttoIso changethe tension of the spring as to raise or lower the shutter, as the casemay be. .Moreover, since the spring approximately counterbalances theshutter in any'position, itis obvious that the shutter may be operatedby hand, if desired, without releasing the brake.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness 10funderstanding ionly, and no unnecessary limitations should be understoodtherefrom, but the appended claims should :be construed *as broadly as:permissible in view of the :prior art.

%W;hat I regandnsnew, and .desire-tosecure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In means of the character set :forth, the combination of a :revolubledrum, 'a curtain mounted thereon, "a shafteritending into said drum, atorsion spring connecting said shaft an'cd drum, a releasable brakedevice ifor said :s'haft serving to 'hold said spring normally undercounterbalancing tension, acable connected with said shaft, andanelectro-magnetic device for turning zsaid shaft through theimedium ofsaid cable. and :thus varying the tension of said spring.

12. In means of he character set forth, the combination sof a revolub-ledrum, a shuttercurtain mounted thereon, a shaft extending into :saiddrum, n .tors'ionlspring connecting the shaft and drum, a cable servingto turn said shaft to vary the tension of said spring, a pair ofsolenoids provided with cores secured to the ends of said cable, andcircuitcontrolling means connected with the circuits of said solenoids.

3. In means of the character set forth, the combination of a drum, ashutter-curtain mounted thereon, a shaft journaled in said drum, atorsion spring connecting said shaft and drum, a cable having anintermediate portion adapted to turn said shaft, an electro-magnethaving a movable member connected with one end of said cable and servingto turn the shaft to relieve the spring tension, another electro-magnethaving a movable member connected with the other end of said cable,means being associated therewith for holding said spring under normaltension to hold the shutter-curtain in elevated position, andcircuit-controlling means adapted to cause either of the electromagnetsto operate said shaft at Will.

4:. In means of the character set forth, the combination of a drum, ashutter-curtain mounted thereon, a shaft journalled in said drum, aspring connecting said shaft and drum, and means controlling themovements of said drum, including an electro-magnetic device foractuating said shaft, an electromagnetically controlled brake for saidshaft, and a fuse-controlled device adapted to effect automatic loweringof said shuttercurtain.

5. In means of the character set forth, the combination of a drum, ashutter-curtain mounted thereon, a shaft journaled in said drum, aspring connecting said shaft and drum, means controlling the movementsof said drum, including electro-magnetic devices for varying the tensionof said spring and actuating the drum and associated :means for holding:said spring under iinitial tension, and a fuse-controlled deviceiaidapted .to automatically lower the shutter-nur- :tain'.

combination c'ogf a :drum, a shutterscnrt'ain mounted .thereon,-:a shaftjournaled Fin zsaid drum, :a :spring connecting said shaft and drum,means controlling *the movements :of said lit-U111 including a cableadapted tofturn said shaft and thereby vary the tension of said spring,solenoids having cores connect- 18d'WltllithGBlIClS of said scabies,zone of ithe cores being xprovidedawith means for planlnzmeans OfltllB.characterltset fonthfitlre 7 'ing said spring under initial tensionitoz hol'd 530 :the shutter in elevated ,position, circuit-controllingmeans adapted :to cause either sole- :no'id to be energized, and 21afuse-controlled weigl1t adapted \to disturb the balance and causeautomatic "lowering Z'Ofsaid shutter.

combination of a drum, a shutter-curtainmounted thereon, a shaftjournaled in said drum, a torsion spring connecting said shaft and drum,a solenoid provided with a movable core, a cable connecting said corewith said shaft, a normally set brake serving to hold said shaft, anelectro-magnet adapted to release said brake, and a circuit common tosaid solenoid and said electro-magnet provided with circuit-controllingmeans, whereby when the solenoid is energized the brake is released.

9. In means of the character set forth, the combination of a drum, ashutter curtain mounted thereon, a shaftjournaled in said drum, atorsion spring connecting said shaft and drum, a pair of solenoidsequipped with movable cores, cables connecting said cores with saidshaft and adapted to actuate the shaft in either direction, a normallyset brake, an electro-magnet adapted to release said brake, and acircuit common to said solenoids and said electro-magnet and equippedwith two circuit-controlling devices, each of said circuit-controllingdevices controlling the circuit of one solenoid and the circuit of saidelectro-magnet.

10. In means of the character set forth, the combination of a drum, ashutter-curtain mounted thereon, a shaft journaled in said drum, atorsion spring connecting said shaft and drum, a normally set brakeholding said shaft in position to place said spring under initialtension to hold the shutter in elevated position, anelectro-magnetadapted to release said brake, a solenoid provided with acore connected by a cable with said shaft, said solenoid being adaptedto turn the shaft in a direction to increase the turn of the spring andelevate the shutter, and an electric circuit common to said solenoid andsaid electro-magnet, saidcir- 'cuit having one switch adapted to causethe electro-magnet only to be energized and having another switchadapted to cause both .the electro-magnet: and the solenoid to beenergized. t r

'11. In means of the character set forth;

the combination of a. drum, a shutter-curtain mounted thereon, a shaftjournaledin said drum,.a spring connecting said shaft and drum, andmeans controlling the move-' Zments of said drum, including an electrlcdevice for actuating the shaft to vary the tension of said spring-andassociated automatically releasable means for holding said spring underinitial tension;

, 12-. Inmeans of the'character set forth,

the-combinationof adrum, a shutter curtain mounted thereon, a shaftjournaled in said drum,-a torsion spring connecting said shaft and drum,an electric device'adapted to actuate said shaft and vary'the tension ofsaid spring, a brake adapted to control 1 the movements of said shaft,an electro magnet controlling said brake, and circuits for said electricdevice and said electromagnet having a common controlling switch.

13. In means of the character set forth. the combination of a drum, ashutter-curtain mounted thereon, a shaft journaled in said drum, atorsion spring connecting said shaftand drum, an electric device foractu-' I MILLARD GILMORE}

